5 Tips to Help You Survive College Without A Dishwasher

Dirty dishes don't have to be your nemesis.

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Along with taking out the trash, doing laundry, or really cleaning of any kind, dirty dishes just might be the bane of any college kid’s existence. It’s a pain, but someone has to do it– if not for sanitation, then for your roommate’s sake. (Trust me. Don’t end up like these girls.)

While your college years might be the best years of your life, they’re certainly not the most glamorous. College apartments often lack some pretty important essentials– you haven’t had napkins since the stack you stole from Chipotle ran out, and, honestly, a plastic fork works just as well as any chip clip.

Just please, please, don’t be that person who fashions a DIY cereal bowl out of a crumpled up paper plate (see #1). You are so much better than that.

Most students also lack the luxury of a dishwasher, but I assure you that you can rise above it. In fact, you can more than make do in a dishwasher-less kitchen – and be green while you’re at it – with these 5 simple tips and tricks.

1. Make salad dressing in the bottom of the bowl

Photo by Sabina Tilevitz

Not only will this trick save you from one more dish to clean, but (cost-saving perk) you’ll also waste less oil and vinegar by measuring out only as much dressing as you’ll want in your salad.

2. Steam and boil whenever possible

Photo courtesy of thekitchn.com

Steaming your veggies and boiling your eggs result in mess and grease-free appliances that barely need to be cleaned. All you’ll need is a swish of dish soap and a rinse of hot water and your pots will be good as new. And with a few added touches, your steamed veggies can actually taste amazing too.

3. Section off your cutting board

Photo by Sabina Tilevitz

If you’re slightly OCD like me, you probably do this already. Partitioning your ingredients into each corner of your cutting board will maximize prep space and minimize cleaning time. You really just need one.

4. Make one-pot meals

Photo by Abigail Wang

Cooking with only one pot can be pretty simple if you plan ahead. For inspiration, read this.

5. Join the clean plate club

Photo courtesy of pinterest.com

It’s simple math: clean more on your plate, clean less at your sink.

If you’re still not convinced that you can survive in a dishwasher-less kitchen, then (hold your cringes please) find ways to make dishwashing enjoyable.

Washing dishes doesn’t have to be a chore. Use a scented dish soap that doesn’t dry out your skin. If your sink is near a window, fling it open when you clean—fresh air and people watching make the time fly. Throw on some tunes, chill out for a bit, and then scrub-rinse-repeat. You might even find it therapeutic (or fun), though no guarantees.